Bahrain CP calls for calm as clashes resume in Manama

Published February 18th, 2011 - 18:34 GMT

Bahrain's crown prince on Friday called for calm, saying it was "time for dialogue, not fighting."

Bahrain's crown prince on Friday called for calm, saying it was "time for dialogue, not fighting." Thousands of Shi'ite demonstrators have held protests in the kingdom since a "Day of Rage" on February 14. "The dialogue is always open and the reforms continue," Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa said on Bahrain TV. "This land is for all citizens of Bahrain ... All honest people at this time should say 'enough'."

"We need to call for self-restraint from all sides, the armed forces, security men and citizens," he said. "I urge you, there should be calm. Now is time for calm."

Bahraini soldiers shot at protesters near Manama's Pearl Square on Friday and injured 23, a former Shi'ite lawmaker told Reuters. At least four Bahraini protestors died on Thursday when riot police drove activists from a makeshift camp in the area.